Joe Douglas took a closer look at what the Jets could not have on Friday.
The Jets general manager was present when quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw 52 passes during a quickly organized training session for NFL staff in the training bubble in Clemson. But Douglas did not have the best view in the house.
Newly appointed Jaguars coach Urban Meyer and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney added most of the training session to the hip, including standing in midfield, about 15 yards away from the best prospect of the quarter since Andrew Luck in 2013, while others turned on the sidelines.
“Yeah, I saw him,” a joking Lawrence said of Meyer on ACC Network. ‘Just waved to him quickly. Can’t really communicate out here. ”
Even with the benefit of the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Jets were reduced to the necessary investigations into Lawrence – just like most of the 17 NFL teams that sent 31 reps, according to Sports Illustrated. The Jets sent three and the Giants two scouts, and both receiver-needy teams certainly paid attention to one of Lawrence’s training partners – the projected second or third round Cornell Powell.
Free agent receiver Caleb Scott – a 2018 Vanderbilt product who had time with the Seahawks and Packers – also flashed with a dive catch from a Lawrence deep ball.
The Jaguars occupy the no. 1 and league sources tell The Post that a primary draw to lure Meyer out of his retirement was the opportunity to coach Lawrence. Meyer’s last season as head coach at Ohio State was in 2018, when Lawrence Clemson led to the College Football Playoff title as a true freshman. Meyer praised Lawrence in his two years as a television analyst.
Lawrence is expected to undergo surgery on his shoulder that does not throw. Therefore, according to Meyer’s proposal, he arranged an individual workout rather than waiting until Clemson’s regular Pro Day (March 11). Meyer told NFL Network he discussed three options with Lawrence: Wait until March 11 and wait for rehabilitation to run to training camp, skip Pro Day and have his college resume or talk …
“I said, ‘Why don’t you just get a ball and throw it?’ ”, Meyer said. And he says, ‘Let’s go. “That was it. The next thing I know, we’re here at a Pro Day they put together. This is a man who loves football and is confident in his ability. ”
As the NFL Combine is significantly altered by COVID-19 restrictions, all pre-training sessions will be held on university campuses this year. Lawrence trains with Jordan Palmer, the former NFL fullback who accompanies many of the top picks every season, including the Jets’ Sam Darnold. They were only two weeks into their plan when the workout changed.
“Just to show that I’m no different from anyone else,” Lawrence said. ‘I still want to do the process the right way.
‘It’s not like the original plan – to rehearse in California for two months, then come back on March 11 and hold a show. But life happens sometimes. It was important for me to show that I can adapt and still be willing to come here and give teams the chance to see me. ”
Lawrence checked all the important measuring blocks: 6 feet-5 5/8 inches long, 213 pounds and 10 inches hands.
“About … I think I can start shedding 6-8 weeks after surgery and look at 4-5 months of full clearance,” Lawrence said. “I will be able to do things ahead of time. It should not be too bad. Just need to rehabilitate very hard. I’m excited to get it right and start paving the way for healing. ”